How to get rid of fleas on cats

Fleas are, arguably, the most annoying insects on the planet. Infestations of groups of fleas in your house, or on your pets, are harmful and disturbing. For those of you who don’t know what fleas are, they’re wingless insects that can suck blood and pierce your skin. They are known to be ferocious parasites. There are over 2000 species of fleas all around the world.

Remember, treatments meant for dogs do not apply to cats. If done so, it can lead to disastrous consequences for cats. Any insecticide containing phenol should not be used on cats, because they are hazardous for them. There are treatments specifically for cats, do that your beloved feline’s fur remains free of those annoying creatures. These treatments are explained as follows:

Diatomaceous earth (DE): DE is available as a powder and as a dry shampoo. This is a natural way of getting those fleas out. It is basically fossilized algae that have borne the brunt of the earth for several years before being excavated. It is a good repellant because it dehydrates the insects by piercing its way through the exoskeleton. Remember, only food-grade DE powder should be used, otherwise it’ll lead to problems for humans and cats. Also, you must wear a mask and a pair of gloves while applying the powder on your pet, because there’s a chance that the powder will get stuck in your throat.

Flea trap: A very convenient way to attract fleas into one spot and then kill them all at once. Fleas are said to be attracted to light, so you can set up a trap for them by placing a light source near a dish with warm soapy water. The fleas will leave your cat alone and gather near the light, and they’ll slip and fall into the dish, drowning in the process. This is effective at night, so you can test this method before sleeping.

Baths: Regular baths for your cats will drive fleas away from its body. Use shampoos that have eucalyptus, lavender or citrus. Also, after the cat is done bathing, keep combing the cat for added results. This method will do good to keep fleas at bay.

Outdoor exposure: Maybe, your cat frequents a place that is infested with a lot of adult fleas. You can prevent them from getting into your house by making sure your cat stays indoors most of the time, and that he visits places that are less-infested.

Vinegar: Fleas and vinegar do not get along. They find vinegar foul-smelling, and tend to keep away from it. You can use this to your advantage. Using a spray, you can sprinkle some vinegar on your cat, whose skin doesn’t get affected by the acidic nature of vinegar. Apple cider vinegar can also be used for this. Apply this while you’re giving your cat a bath, or apply it directly if your cat is reluctant to get washed up.

The above ways are mostly natural, and you don’t have to shell out loads of cash to buy those repellant shampoos. Try following these methods and your cat will be flea-free and fresh.